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Top 10 Apps for Hikers

In 2024, a variety of apps have become essential tools for hikers, providing useful features like trail maps, real-time location tracking, and weather updates. These apps help both novice and experienced hikers plan their adventures, navigate unfamiliar terrain, and ensure safety during outdoor activities.

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For hiking enthusiasts, the right app can make a world of difference in preparing for and enjoying a hike. The best hiking apps offer detailed trail information, including user reviews, difficulty levels, and estimated times. They also feature GPS navigation, helping hikers stay on track in remote areas where signal may be weak. Many apps provide offline maps, weather forecasts, and elevation profiles, which are critical for ensuring a safe experience in diverse landscapes. Additionally, some apps have community-driven features, allowing users to share trail reports and tips. By combining functionality with ease of use, these apps enhance the hiking experience, making outdoor exploration more accessible and enjoyable.

  • AllTrails
    AllTrails

    AllTrails - Discover trails, track hikes, and share your adventures.

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  • PeakFinder
    PeakFinder

    PeakFinder - View peaks, trails, and mountains with augmented reality.

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  • Gaia GPS
    Gaia GPS

    Gaia GPS - Navigate with detailed maps for hiking, backpacking, and more.

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  • Google Maps
    Google Maps

    Google Maps - Your go-to navigation app, now with hiking trail maps.

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  • Cairn
    Cairn

    Cairn - Safety app that tracks your location and notifies loved ones.

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  • Hiking Project
    Hiking Project

    Hiking Project - Explore and track thousands of hiking trails across the country.

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  • Maps.me
    Maps.me

    Maps.me - Offline maps with hiking trails and detailed navigation.

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  • Spyglass
    Spyglass

    Spyglass - All-in-one GPS app for navigation, compasses, and augmented reality.

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  • Seek by iNaturalist
    Seek by iNaturalist

    Seek by iNaturalist - Identify plants, animals, and insects during your hikes.

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  • FarOut
    FarOut

    FarOut - Your personal trail guide for long-distance hikes and thru-hikes.

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Top 10 Apps for Hikers

1.

AllTrails

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AllTrails is one of the most popular hiking apps, providing access to an extensive database of over 100,000 trails worldwide. It allows hikers to find trail recommendations based on difficulty, location, distance, and ratings from other hikers. The app offers detailed trail maps, reviews, photos, and difficulty ratings to help users plan their hikes. With a paid Pro version, users can access offline maps, real-time GPS tracking, and other advanced features, making it perfect for remote or offline hikes. The app also allows users to track their progress, log their hikes, and share their experiences with the community.

Pros

  • pros Extensive trail database
  • pros Trail reviews and photos
  • pros GPS tracking
  • pros Offline map access (Pro)
  • pros User-friendly interface

Cons

  • consLimited offline features (free version)
  • consSome trail maps are inaccurate
  • consLimited support in remote areas
  • consHeavy battery use
  • consSubscription required for premium features

2.

PeakFinder

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PeakFinder is an innovative app that allows users to identify mountain peaks and landmarks in real-time using augmented reality. Using a smartphone’s camera, the app overlays peak names and elevation data on the user’s screen, making it ideal for hikers, mountaineers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The app covers more than 800,000 peaks around the world, and users can use the map and search features to locate nearby mountains. PeakFinder’s offline mode enables use in remote areas without cell service, making it perfect for remote hikes.

Pros

  • pros Augmented reality feature
  • pros Large database of peaks
  • pros Offline functionality
  • pros Easy to use
  • pros Ideal for peak identification

Cons

  • consCan be expensive
  • consLimited to peak identification
  • consNo trail maps
  • consNot ideal for non-mountain hikes
  • consBattery-draining with AR mode

3.

Gaia GPS

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Gaia GPS is a highly-rated outdoor navigation app that provides users with topographic maps, trail routes, and off-road navigation for hiking, backpacking, camping, and other outdoor activities. It offers detailed topographic, satellite, and terrain maps that are perfect for navigating remote areas. With the paid version, users can access offline maps, advanced tracking features, and offline route planning. Gaia GPS is popular among experienced hikers due to its ability to track, record, and plan multi-day trips with accuracy. The app’s route-finding features and geolocation tools ensure that users stay on track in remote areas, even without cell service.

Pros

  • pros Detailed topographic maps
  • pros Offline capabilities
  • pros Route planning
  • pros Track progress
  • pros Ideal for remote hiking

Cons

  • consSteep learning curve
  • consExpensive subscription
  • consInaccurate trail info in some areas
  • consLimited to advanced hikers
  • consCan be difficult for beginners

4.

Google Maps

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Google Maps is widely known for navigation but also offers hiking and outdoor trail information. It provides trail maps, directions, and estimated travel times, including elevation gain and terrain details. While not specialized for hiking, its offline map feature allows users to navigate trails, roads, and landmarks when there’s no signal. Google Maps is ideal for casual hikers looking for basic guidance and mapping features. It also integrates well with other apps and services, making it convenient for trip planning.

Pros

  • pros Free to use
  • pros Offline maps
  • pros Integrated with other apps
  • pros Familiar interface
  • pros Easy to navigate

Cons

  • consLimited trail data
  • consNot designed for advanced navigation
  • consMay lack off-road trail detail
  • consInaccurate trail routes
  • consLimited outdoor features

5.

Cairn

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Cairn is a safety-focused hiking app that tracks hikers' locations and shares them with designated contacts in real-time. It allows users to map out their hike and send updates to loved ones while they’re on the trail. The app works offline, providing users with the ability to track their journey without needing a data connection. Cairn offers a unique feature where it alerts a person if the hiker doesn’t check in by a certain time, increasing safety on solo or remote hikes.

Pros

  • pros Real-time location tracking
  • pros Offline capabilities
  • pros Safety features
  • pros Easy to use
  • pros Alerts for emergencies

Cons

  • consLimited trail data
  • consNot ideal for route planning
  • consFew map options
  • consCan drain battery quickly
  • consRequires network to notify contacts

6.

Hiking Project

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Hiking Project provides hikers with detailed trail maps, reviews, and navigation tools for thousands of trails across the U.S. It’s perfect for both experienced adventurers and beginners. The app offers easy-to-follow maps and route descriptions, complete with elevation data and user reviews. With offline mode, hikers can still use the app in areas without a cell signal. Hiking Project is known for its accurate trail data and ability to track hikes in real-time. It also allows users to upload their hikes, share with the community, and follow others’ hiking adventures.

Pros

  • pros Extensive trail database
  • pros User-generated content
  • pros Offline mode
  • pros Accurate trail data
  • pros Community-oriented

Cons

  • consLimited global trail data
  • consNot as feature-rich as other apps
  • consLacks some advanced features
  • consCan be overwhelming for new users
  • consFocused on U.S. trails

7.

Maps.me

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Maps.me is a powerful navigation app that provides detailed offline maps, including hiking and outdoor trails. It’s an ideal choice for hikers who want a free app to track their routes, discover new trails, and navigate in remote areas without cellular coverage. Maps.me offers global coverage, providing hikers with access to both urban and rural maps. While it’s more geared toward general navigation, its trail maps are highly useful, and it allows users to save and share locations. The app is highly efficient and uses minimal phone storage, making it perfect for long trips.

Pros

  • pros Free to use
  • pros Offline functionality
  • pros Global coverage
  • pros Detailed navigation
  • pros Easy to use

Cons

  • consLimited trail-specific information
  • consLess detailed in remote areas
  • consCan lack advanced features
  • consNo real-time tracking
  • consDifficult for beginners

8.

Spyglass

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Spyglass is an advanced GPS navigation app that’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers. It combines a variety of tools, such as a compass, topographic map viewer, GPS tracker, and augmented reality (AR) features. Spyglass allows users to customize maps, track their progress, and navigate in remote areas, even without cell service. It’s highly favored by adventurers due to its versatility and reliability in tough environments. The app supports various map types, including topographic, satellite, and terrain maps, making it adaptable to different types of hikes and outdoor activities.

Pros

  • pros Advanced GPS tools
  • pros Augmented reality
  • pros Customizable maps
  • pros Offline use
  • pros User-friendly

Cons

  • consExpensive
  • consSteep learning curve
  • consNo dedicated trail data
  • consInconsistent GPS accuracy
  • consCan drain battery quickly

9.

Seek by iNaturalist

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Seek by iNaturalist is a unique app that allows hikers to explore the natural world while learning about plants, animals, and insects they encounter on their hikes. The app uses the phone’s camera to identify species, providing immediate feedback on what you’ve found. Seek offers fun challenges, badges, and learning opportunities, encouraging hikers to engage with nature in new ways. It’s perfect for hikers who enjoy biodiversity and wish to deepen their knowledge of the flora and fauna around them. With an extensive database, Seek makes nature observation accessible to all hikers.

Pros

  • pros Species identification
  • pros Educational
  • pros User-friendly
  • pros Fun challenges
  • pros Free to use

Cons

  • consLimited to identification
  • consRequires good lighting
  • consWorks best with common species
  • consCan be inaccurate for complex species
  • consLess useful for remote hikes

10.

FarOut

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FarOut is a comprehensive app designed for long-distance hikers, thru-hikers, and backpackers. It provides detailed trail maps, descriptions, and logistics for long hikes such as the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail. FarOut offers users offline maps, allowing them to navigate even when there is no cell service. The app also includes water sources, campsites, elevation profiles, and trail updates, making it an indispensable tool for serious hikers. With user-generated content and real-time updates, FarOut is trusted by hikers looking for the most up-to-date information.

Pros

  • pros Long-distance trail maps
  • pros Offline functionality
  • pros Detailed water sources
  • pros Campsites
  • pros Elevation profiles

Cons

  • consSubscription required
  • consLimited to long-distance hikes
  • consNot ideal for casual hikers
  • consHigh battery consumption
  • consExpensive for occasional use

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